NADD: an association for persons with developmental disabilities and mental hea

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NADD: an association for persons with developmental disabilities and mental hea

NADD: an association for persons with developmental disabilities and mental health needs

09/05/2025

NADD's 42nd Annual Conference
October 15-17, 2025
Minneapolis, Minnesota

CONFERENCE SESSION SPOTLIGHT! 📢

My Life, Your Job: Empowering Every Voice

In this impactful session, a recipient of home and community-based services will share her powerful story of moving from exclusion to empowerment. She will discuss the deep frustration and insecurity that stemmed from being left out of decisions affecting her life and how participatory leadership transformed her experience. Alongside the Executive Director of the agency providing her services, they will explore the evolution from siloed decision-making to a model that values and includes the voices of those receiving services. Attendees will walk away with practical strategies for fostering inclusion, from board leadership practices to training Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and enhancing interview processes. Discover how empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities in decision-making leads to greater confidence, purpose, and true inclusion within organizations.

Speakers:

Amanda Elder M.Ed., Frontier Community Services, Executive Director

Michelle Davidson

Learn More & REGISTER: https://thenadd.org/conferences/

09/05/2025

NADD's 42nd Annual Conference
October 15-17, 2025
Minneapolis, Minnesota

CONFERENCE SESSION SPOTLIGHT! 📢

Self-Injury in Individuals with Dual Diagnosis

Self-injury has historically been studied and treated separately in individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. This conceptualization does not meet all clinical needs, such as the needs of individuals with dual diagnoses. In our presentation, we will first describe traditional approaches to the research and treatment of self-injury; namely, biobehavioral approaches in individuals with I/DD and psychological approaches in individuals with mental health diagnoses. Then, we will present recent research and clinical activities from the Self-Injury Workgroup at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. The Self-Injury Workgroup is an interdisciplinary collaboration of scholars and clinicians at the University of Minnesota. This workgroup aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration in the pursuit of inclusive research and treatment approaches for self-injury. Our presentation will focus on clinical implications, with audience participation encouraged.

Speakers
Caroline L. Roberts, PhD, Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellow
Laura Chubb, M.Ads

Learn More & REGISTER: https://thenadd.org/conferences/

09/04/2025

CONFERENCE SESSION SPOTLIGHT! 📢

NADD's 42nd Annual Conference
October 15-17, 2025
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Barriers to Community Transitions from Acute Care

This mixed methods study was conducted as part of a legislative council investigating acute care barriers to transition experienced by children and adults with complex service needs who engage in self-injury, aggression, property destruction, and other behaviors. This presentation summarizes key findings from the study while highlighting descriptive evaluation data that are being collected by state leaders who support systems of care efforts. Audience members will be engaged using short discussion questions to provide opportunities for reflection and discussion. The accuracy of mixed methods measures will be described in detail with a list of limitations associated with the evaluation. The targeted outcomes, related clinical practice implications, and systems change efforts taking place at the state and regional levels will be described. Positive and negative consequences and utility, and efficacy of these strategies will be discussed.

Speaker:
Rachel L. Freeman, PhD, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Director of State Initiatives

Learn More & REGISTER: https://thenadd.org/conferences/

09/04/2025

NADD's 42nd Annual Conference
October 15-17, 2025
Minneapolis, Minnesota

CONFERENCE SESSION SPOTLIGHT! 📢

Better Outcomes by Prioritizing Wellbeing

This session will highlight the use of the PERMA+ model—a science-based framework for increasing happiness and flourishing at work. Panelists will share real-world strategies they’ve used to foster Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and more among their teams. From mindfulness initiatives and peer support to leadership coaching and strength-based feedback, discover practical approaches to building a culture of wellbeing. Most importantly, the discussion will explore how these staff-focused efforts ripple outward—enhancing the quality of care, increasing consistency, and creating more responsive, person-centered environments for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism. Attendees will be provided opportunities to interact with presentations to identify wellbeing practices across multiple providers. Whether you're a leader, clinician, or direct support professional, you’ll leave inspired and equipped to make wellbeing a priority in your organization.

Speakers
Rick Gutierrez
Jessica B. Miller, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, Easterseals Southern California, VP Therapy Services

Learn More & REGISTER: https://thenadd.org/conferences/

09/03/2025

NADD's 42nd Annual Conference
October 15-17, 2025
Minneapolis, Minnesota

CONFERENCE SESSION SPOTLIGHT! 📢

Wellness as Protective Strategy: Empowering People

Individuals who experience Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities face additional challenges in building/supporting wellness in their life. Building a wellness focus into daily expectations and typical delivery of supports for individuals with I/DD can also impact other health issues and impacts. Louisiana’s OCDD partnered with The Arc of Louisiana to connect with individuals with IDD and their families to develop a Guide to Building and Supporting Wellness that can be used by Individuals and their families to achieve more positive wellness outcomes. Examination of the information from the available studies indicates that some clear trends emerge, indicating that individuals with improved wellness experience fewer behavioral health symptoms, are less likely to experience concerning emotional or behavioral incidents, and are less likely to develop longer-term trauma impacts or experience re-traumatization. Louisiana's OCDD works with the Arc of LA and members of the Arc of St. Charles People First chapter to co-develop training for other People First chapters, co-lead training sessions, and provide peer mentoring to other members to develop and use their own Wellness Guides. Presenters from OCDD and the Arc of Louisiana will provide an overview of the partnership, review research findings that support the approach to wellness and its impact on mental health needs and trauma impacts. Presenters from the Arc of St. Charles People First chapter will provide information on the educational approach and information most important to helping individuals with I/DD build their own Wellness Guide and communicate effectively with supports, and will share their outcomes and others with whom they have worked. Group discussion and exercises with audience members will occur, and a question-and-answer component with the Arc of St. Charles members will be incorporated.

Speakers:
Brandi Kelly, PhD, State of Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, Clinical Director
Ashley McReynolds, The Arc of Louisiana, Program Director

Learn More & REGISTER: https://thenadd.org/conferences/

09/03/2025

NADD's 42nd Annual Conference
October 15-17, 2025
Minneapolis, Minnesota

CONFERENCE SESSION SPOTLIGHT! 📢

Substance Use among Co-Occurring Disorders

This session will introduce the intersection of co-occurring disorders of intellectual disabilities (ID) with mental health and substance use disorders (SUD), highlighting research and real-world barriers to treatment approaches. SUD is a major public health issue worldwide, affecting 40.3 million people aged 12 or older in the US. However, the issue of substance use and its management is very different for people with co-occurring disorders. About 3% of the US population has ID, and among that population, it is estimated that approximately 5% have a SUD, yet the prevalence rates vary greatly due to the paucity of research. The limited studies conducted suggest that SUDs are more prominent among individuals with mild or borderline ID, who are male, are living on their own, and have a co-occurring mental health diagnosis. Despite overall increases in access to substance use treatment for individuals with SUD, people with co-occurring disorders of ID & mental health are often overlooked. This marginalized population often struggles to engage in treatment, and when they do, it is usually complicated and problematic. Often, only the most severe cases of SUD are detected. Further complicating this is that the research concerning best practices for clinically managing individuals with co-occurring disorders and SUD is nearly nonexistent in the US, thereby constraining our knowledge. Addressing this critically underserved population will provide valuable insights for DSPs, clinicians, and others. Participants will engage in case studies and will discuss practical, ethical, and clinical considerations. Evidence-based strategies and limitations will be explored to inform accessible and inclusive treatment and care approaches.

Speakers:

Lori Ann Eldridge, University of California, San Francisco, Instructor

Robert Fletcher DSW, ACSW, LCSW, NADD-CC; NADD Founder and CEO Emeritus

Raga Sri Kondapaneni

Learn More & REGISTER: https://thenadd.org/conferences/

09/03/2025

NADD's 42nd Annual Conference
October 15-17, 2025
Minneapolis, Minnesota

CONFERENCE SESSION SPOTLIGHT! 📢

BOSS: Burnout/Occupational Stress Support Matrix

National Core Indicators for the intellectual/developmental disabilities in the United States reported that across states, the turnover ratio for DSPs in 2023 ranged from 23.6% to 48.6%; the weighted average turnover ratio was 39.7%. The same report indicated that of DSPs who left employment in 2023, 43.1% left within 6 months and 66.4% left in their first year of the job. We have to support the mental health of our workforce better. Staff burnout is insidious in the workplace, and any stress on staff can negatively impact job performance and agency outcomes, if staff stay at all. As always, prevention is better than cure, but managers and leaders need to know where their agency workplace is at risk, and they also need to know what to do about it. The research-based Burnout/Occupational Stress Support (BOSS) Matrix, developed in the field and tested with a large Midwestern provider, was created to help with that effort, to coordinate and target organizational efforts to help alleviate stress for maximum impact. BOSS focuses existing and new support efforts on known sources of stress and burnout in an agency and recommends steps to address problem areas. In this training, we will review current research about burnout in the helping professions, particularly in the health and human services arena, the BOSS Matrix, and early results from the pilot project. We will also discuss ways to flag concerning behavior and identify and support individual staff members who may be struggling.

Speaker: Kevin Aldridge, Aldridge Palay Group, Founding Partner

Learn More & REGISTER: https://thenadd.org/conferences/

09/02/2025

Every three months, The Link Center hosts shared learning groups for direct support professionals, clinical professionals, family members, and people with lived experience. These groups provide opportunities to dive into important topics and tap into your expertise and experiences related to people with cognitive disabilities, including intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and brain injuries, and mental health conditions. These meetings are led by members of our steering committee and project partners.

LEARN MORE: https://acl.gov/TheLinkCenter/SharedLearningGroups

EXPLORE THE LINK CENTER: https://acl.gov/TheLinkCenter/

09/02/2025

NADD's 42nd Annual Conference
October 15-17, 2025
Minneapolis, Minnesota

CONFERENCE SESSION SPOTLIGHT! 📢

Ensuring DSP Competence While Supporting People

Direct support professionals (DSPs) support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and mental health conditions to live self-directed lives. This means DSPs need to have a wide variety of knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be proficient in their roles. Well-trained DSPs can have a big impact on life outcomes for people with I/DD and co-occurring mental health disorders. However, many are not very skilled in understanding mental health conditions. They may even have stigmatizing attitudes towards mental health conditions and those that experience them. This can be especially likely when people supported have limited communication skills or have past behaviors that have been considered challenging. It’s easy for DSPs to miss symptoms or to lean on medications over supporting skill-building, engaging supportive environments, and reinforcing therapeutic approaches. In addition, clinician’s may expect DSPs to be able to organize and share symptoms accurately but they may not have the skill or awareness of how to do that. This session will help clinicians, program managers, trainers, and others consider the most important competencies in mental health for DSPs and how to ensure DSPs have the support and training they need to provide excellent care to people with co-occurring conditions. Participants will engage in a facilitated discussion around their past experiences and real-life examples.

Speakers:
Michelle Smith, Institute on Community Integration, Education Specialist 2, Curriculum Content Lead
Nicole Duchelle, University of Minnesota, Education Specialist

Learn More & REGISTER: https://thenadd.org/conferences/

08/31/2025

An IDD/MI dual diagnosis refers to individuals with an intellectual/developmental disability (IDD) who also experience a mental health condition. Roughly 35% of people with intellectual disabilities also experience mental health challenges.
Learn more at thenadd.org

08/30/2025

NADD is proud of our continued work together with the Link Center: https://acl.gov/TheLinkCenter

08/29/2025

NADD's 42nd Annual Conference
October 15-17, 2025
Minneapolis, Minnesota

CONFERENCE SESSION SPOTLIGHT! 📢

A Team-Based Approach to Centering the Individual

Supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health needs (IDD/MH) requires a coordinated, person-centered team approach. This session explores how interdisciplinary teams can work together to place the individual at the center of support planning, using evidence-based and practical strategies to align services and communication across all team members. Participants will explore case-based examples showing how teams can use the LifeCourse framework to support people in planning and coordinating their vision for a good life.

Speakers:
Melissa Cheplic, MPH, NADD-CC, The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities , Senior Training and Consultation Specialist
Jessica R. Hamlyn, LCSW, NADD-CC, Meridian Health Services, Director of Connxxions (IDD/MI) Services

Learn More & REGISTER: https://thenadd.org/conferences/

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Kingston, NY
12401

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+18453314336

Website

http://www.thenadd.org/

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NADD

Since 1983, NADD has been dedicated to educating and training people on issues relating to the IDD/MI dual diagnosis through direct consultation and training, professional certification programs, conferences, and by publishing the most up-to-date information and research in the field of IDD/MI in books and through an academic journal.

Over the course of nearly 4 decades, we have improved the lives of thousands of individuals: people with IDD/MI, their families and the dedicated professionals who work with them, building a Bridge to Hope and a richer, fuller life.